SHANGLA: A jirga participated by local government members and elders of Jatkool on Monday reminded Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Amir Muqam of fulfilling his promises of providing electricity and constructing a road to the area.

The jirga was attended by union council and village nazims, social activists and local elders. District councillor Qari Saaduddin presided over the meeting.

Our area has been neglected by the successive governments, where the people use firewood for keeping their houses lighted during the night. The only suspension bridge linking Jatkool with rest of Shangla district was damaged a month ago, which is yet to be repaired, the locals deplored.

Village nazim Ahmed Wahid said the area women had to fetch water from the Indus River by putting their lives at risk as the village lacked a water supply scheme.

He said PML-M provincial president Engr Amir Muqam had promised with them that he would initiate power supply to upper parts of the area, but to no avail.

“We will be grateful if Muqam fulfills his promises made with us as we have voted for his brother, MNA Ibadullah, while our district councillor also voted for his son in the district nazim election,” stated Mr Wahid.

Atta-ur-Rehman, a social activist, said Jatkool suspension bridge was the only way to cross the river.

He said he had informed the district administration and the district nazim about the collapsed bridge, but they took no notice of it.

On the occasion, district councillor Saaduddin announced Rs2 million for construction of a dirt track from Maseer Sar to Jatkool, and also assured that he would provide funds for a water supply scheme and repair of the suspension bridge.

SNOWFALL: The upper parts of Shangla district received first snowfall of the season while plains received rain on Monday, bringing down the temperatures.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2018